Vegan-friendly
Lacto
Ovo
Japanese
Predominantly vegan Japanese restaurant offering a sushi train, ramen, desserts, and set meals. Open Wed-Sun 11:30am-3:00pm, 5:30pm-9:00pm.
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268 Doncaster Rd, Balwyn North, Victoria, Australia, 3104
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- Reservations required
- Accepts credit cards
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Last update on 20 Jul 2024 by Guest
Update business info -
Added by SharonButton on 30 Apr 2023
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20 Reviews
First Review by SharonButton
RuthSharon
Points +1232
My belly is happy - Edit
Finally had the chance to try Midori, and as expected it was fantastic.
Read moreStrangely the only thing I didn’t like was the vegan salmon and vegan tuna (it didn’t really taste like fish) HOWEVER, everything else I ate was amazing. So keep that in mind if you’re missing fish and try this place. Will be back to try some of the hot food selection as we only tried the plates on the train and some bao buns.
Pros: Selection, Freshness, Service
Cons: Vegan salmon/tuna
Guest
VeganVampyr
Points +195
Sushi Train!! - Edit
Great place to enjoy a relatively inexpensive and vegan (watch the labels) sushi train!
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2024-01-22
Pros: Quick and relatively cheap, Mostly yum and interesting stuff, Service is friendly :)
Cons: Does serve some non vegan stuff which is labelled, It's a bit quiet and sterile in there..
Guest
moroney
Points +270
AMAZING - Edit
I absolutely loved this place!! Staff were super friendly and the sushi was amazinggggg. The flavours and imitations were so creative. There was roasted capsicum instead of salmon on top of one of the rolls and it was so good! I brought my Omni friend here and she even loved it. The only dish I didn’t like was the green tea soba, wouldn’t order again. Almost everything was vegan, there was only one thing going around the train that had egg/dairy and it was clearly labelled.
Read morePros: Options , Allergy labelling, Mock meat
Cons: Green tea soba
Guest
JacksonTurnbull
Points +18
Very disappointing Service - Edit
Decided to try this place out and bring some friends as I've seen a lot of great reviews. The food we ate was okay. However, the service really ruined the dining experience. When seated we were not explained how the ordering works, the price of the different plates of sushi, how we can distinguish between what is and isn't vegan, or when the kitchen closes (keep in mind for later). We had to get a different person over to explain to us how things worked, which was fine. However, we were still not told what time the kitchen was going to close. At 8:18, we ordered hot food but were subsequently told 5 minutes later that the kitchen closed at 8:15, so they weren't taking any more orders. We were then referred to a small sign going around the sushi train that we were supposed to read to know about the kitchen closing time. Why not inform patrons when you sit them down, or let them know 20 minutes before close? The sign can easily be moved around or missed, which is what happened in our case. Following this, food was removed from the sushi train at 8:30 when closing time is at 9, which again we were not informed about. Considering we weren't able to have any of the hot food, we thought that asking for the sushi would be okay, but when I asked a staff member it was almost as if it was a nuisance. All of this would've been fine if it had been communicated. We would've bought a lot of hot food if we were verbally informed of the kitchen closing, and I was really looking forward to trying out a variety of their dishes. I think I would've enjoyed the food and rated it much higher if I was able to order. It's so important to support restaurants that pride themselves on vegan food, but service like this really lets a place down. Hopefully in future I can update this review to be a positive experience.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2024-07-14
Pros: Variety of options, Modern style
Cons: Bad service, No communication , No sympathy
Tiggy
I don’t actually think it’s important to support a place that profits from the products of animal abuse as this business does. It doesn’t matter how much they “pride themselves on vegan food” that doesn’t undo the damage. Do we genuinely think that giving them our money is going to improve this?
Read moreGuest
Seitanicveg
Points +861
Mindful eating - Edit
Excellent sushi - a nice place to slow down and enjoy lots of different flavours and textures. Excellent green tea.
Read morePros: Big menu , Good service , Fun!
Cons: Dairy/eggs
Guest
Jackfruitie
Points +164
Amazing Set Menu - Edit
Came here to try the set menu, which was around 6 dishes. All explained by the staff and incredibly tasty. A particular highlight was the tofu steak! Well worth a visit, and the set menu is a great way to sample lots of different items.
Read morePros: Variety, Mostly vegan
Guest
Yona
Points +386
Vegan sushi train win - Edit
Such a fun experience, being able to eat pretty much all of the things on the train. Except for the (well labelled) dishes with eggs and dairy.
Read moreThe menu is all online and linked by a qr code provided on the table. This aspect was not welcomed by my family, older generations like to hold a paper menu and become very disoriented when they have to use technology.
Pros: Great vegan sushi, Vegan desserts, Roasted rice tea yummmmm
Cons: Digital menu, Dishes on train not well labelled
Tiggy
So not actually vegan sushi train then.
Read moreGuest
SaffronMilkcap
Points +13
Spectacular laksa - Edit
Laksa and freshly cooked-to-order tempura were highlights among so many options… all delicious
Read moreGuest
Frenchbaker
Points +87
Excellent Japanese sushi train restaurant - Edit
Everything is at least vegetarian and most is vegan. The food is delicious and I'd recommend the oat milk ramen bowl.
Read moreOn Friday and Saturday, the upstairs dinner room is open, where they offer a set menu.
Updated from previous review on 2024-03-31
Guest
chatreuse
Points +3135
Fresh and fun sushi experience - Edit
I had never been to a sushi train restaurant before, and it was so enjoyable! We could order certain things (eg.hot food) using the QR code, and it would come delivered by a little car, on a track above the sushi train track, which was so much fun. We ordered the fried mushroom which was delicious, they had fried enoki, and oyster mushroom. The enoki was my favourite with a fleshy base, and crispy thin tips. We also got tempura okra, which I was hesitant about because okra tends to be slimy in texture, but it was very good, dry, and perfectly lightly battered.
Read moreThe sushi was fresh and mostly delicious. My favourite was the one with avocado, ham and tofu skin. When we ordered another of it (after waiting awhile and it not reappearing on the sushi train), it came with the pork floss instead of the tofu skin, which was too sweet. The sushi with purple yam was very good too.
I found the burdock salad too sweet for my liking, and the wakame sushi had too much nori, which overpowered the wakame flavour completely.
I really wish the menu had a description of the sushi contents, overall you can figure out what something is, but sometimes (esp with little bits of fake meat) you can't tell what is in what (for eg. the sushi with the puffed white quinoa looking things on the outside, I'm not sure what was inside), also for ease of re-ordering.
I also really wish they had proper chopsticks, instead of disposable ones. Even though they weren't the flimsy disposable ones, it is soooo wasteful (edited to add: they do non-disposable chopsticks now!)
I am looking forward to the a la carte dining, soon to be opened upstairs.
Updated from previous review on 2023-05-02
Pros: delicious fried mushrooms, fresh tasty sushi, ordered food delivered by toy car
Cons: no description of sushi
Guest
LauraMatute
Points +186
Good flavours, mostly vegan - Edit
They have two booking sessions for the sushi train, I took the 19:15 one which is the latest one. The sushi was nice, with some mock meats. The ramen I really like. I did not enjoy the lack of plates coming on the sushi train, there were only a few, however your could order from the menu, I guess is better not to waste food. Good for vegans but did not impressed my not vegan friends.
Read moreGuest
Sarilein
Points +21466
Simply the best sushi… - Edit
I am impressed! Had so much great sushi all over the world (my favourites are in Cologne and Bangkok) and this one was even better! I loved everything
Read moreIt’s so nice that nearly everything is vegan and that the train has small portions on it so you get to choose and eat a lot of different ones if you like.
Everything is well balanced and perfectly flavoured!
In Germany sushi trains have a bad reputation (mostly all you can eat with lacking quality) here it’s a whole new dining experience!
Team is well informed about products and asked ahead what dietary requirements we have (also having gluten free) they are free of garlic and onions as far as I know.
Highlights were their Inari and signature rolls and also the Bao plus Tofu and tempura. We shared a lot which is great.
Stunning flavours and well worth the drive from central melbourne.
Highly recommend to reserve a table in advance.
This place is the best sushi spot all times for me
Pros: Flavour , Staff , Variety
Aloo
Wow! Haven't been here yet, but clearly I need to!
Read moreSarilein
I highly recommend it😄personally I had the best sushi here
Read moreGuest
ErinJordanna
Points +406
Vegan sushi galore - Edit
2nd visit here and it's easily the best vegan sushi train we've been to. Lots of vegan options and all clearly marked. You can pick from the train or order through online menu. Hot items are also delicious and we love the oat ramen and calamari, so good! Really good service with friendly staff.
Read moreGuest
tux
Points +52
Fun and yum - Edit
Great quality vegetarian and vegan sushi !
Read moreItems with dairy and egg clearly marked.
Great menu items. We tried the veggie tempura, pumpkin croquettes, deep fried mushrooms, gyoza and a variety of sushi. Delicious!
Fantastic customer service, easy ordering via QR code (and cute little delivery train that sends food to your table).
Guest
RitaActress
Points +75
Returning for the 3rd time already! - Edit
We went for the first time in December just before they went on their break and we are planning to return again on Saturday for the 3rd time. We really enjoy it, and we leave full but not with a heavy uncomfortable feeling!
Read morePros: Lots of vegan options, Good value, Delicious… obsessed with the laksa
Guest
MarleyTyler
Points +686
Lots of vegan sushi - Edit
We had lunch in a group. Loved the sushi train with lots of variety. Also enjoyed the electric train that delivered the hot food. Everyone had fun while enjoying their vegan menu. A few vegetarian dishes with dairy or egg clearly marked. Nice atmosphere. A little more upmarket but sushi plates reasonable between $4-6. Can order from menu for other dishes.
Read moreGuest
Pegasus_e
Points +19
:) - Edit
:)
Read moreKids liked it.
Great ambience
Guest
madelinek
Points +2142
veggie sushi!!! - Edit
i’ve never been to a sushi train before so obviously had to try! honestly, the sushi isn’t anything crazy and is a bit spenny but think it is a very special place! there’s also some books on the ethics of plant based eating at the front so that’s a plus (wish it was all vegan tho:(( ) but definitely a fun place to go for a special dinner or something! my fav was the cashew inari🍱🍱🥰
Read moreGuest
nikhui
Points +363
10/10 experience - Edit
I was so excited to try Midori by Tao’s as I’ve never been to a sushi train since I wouldn’t be able to eat much. The owners previously owned V Series, which was one of my favourite restaurants.
Read moreThis was such a fun experience. 95% was vegan so there were lots of options. The laksa udon (a twist on my V Series favourite) is to die for, I could eat it everyday. It was difficult to work out what was what but it actually made the experience more exciting since you had no idea what to expect.
We will definitely be frequent flyers here.
Guest
SharonButton
Points +139
1st Vegan Sushi Train in Melbourne ! - Edit
It’s our turn to try this new Vegan/Vegetarian Sushi Train, very cute, got some useful tips from a few friends, chawamushi is delicious, their ramen is yummy. Love the colours that put on their sushi too, the boss told me they are launching set menu soon and open up upstairs seating in a month or so, very clean and professional
Read morePros: Vegan is mainstream and vegetarian an option
Cons: Can get alittle pricey but it’s fine quality
Tiggy
It’s not really vegan though, is it?
Read moreSharonButton
It’s mostly vegan with some vegetarian
Read moreSeitanicveg
Tiggy couldn't help themselves to come across as morally superior and to correct the 'misinformation' Without their valuable contribution-- the happy cow community could not discern what is vego and what is vegan.
Read moreSharon's review clearly states it as vegan and vego options, as well as the listing itself is marked vegetarian.
Tiggy
Actually that’s just the point, @otherdimension. If a restaurant offers the products of animal abuse it can’t call itself vegan. The phrase ‘vegetarian and vegan’ is a bullsh*t meaningless one. Having a vegan option doesn’t you a vegan restaurant. It would be like Burger King calling itself a ‘carnist and vegan’ restaurant because it offers a vegan option.
Read moreTiggy
That is true, @otherdimension but I wasn’t doubting that HC members understand the difference between vegetarian and vegan. The point is that there are subtle psychological effects created when a restaurant attaches that label to itself. You only have to look at the number of self-identifying vegans who will say things like “it’s mostly vegan” or “there’s a separate vegan menu”, “staff know what vegan means” - and completely overlook/forgive the presence of slaughter/abuse products - to see how willing people can be to set aside their knowledge and awareness of cruelty in the interests of pleasuring their palate.
Read moreGuest
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